So the summer box office battles unofficially get underway this weekend with the opening of The Avengers: Age of Ultron. Herein lie my predictions for the weekend box office.

Avengers: Age of Ultron – $221 million

It’s safe to assume this superhero sequel will take the top spot this weekend. It’s also almost a foregone conclusion that it will have one of the biggest opening weekend domestic grosses ever. The only question is: Will it set a new mark for highest grossing opening weekend in history? Considering the growth of the Marvel brand since the first Avengers film came out in 2012, the marketing for this being enormous, the addition of many more 10pm Thursday night showings in recent years, and the lack of heavy (film) competition, I could easily see this film answering that question with a resounding YES. I’d be very surprised if it does not clear the $207 million The Avengers opened to back in 2012. The only potential roadblock is the many other non-movie options audiences have this weekend. There are NBA playoff games, NHL playoff games, the NFL draft, Yankees-Red Sox, the Kentucky Derby, and biggest of all, the Pacquiao-Mayweather fight. If not for this being one of the biggest sporting event weekends of the century, I’d go even higher.

Furious 7 – $10 million

The Age of Adaline – $8 million

Paul Blart: Mall Cop 2- $5 million

Home – $4 million

Ex Machina- $3 million

Unfriended – $2 million

How big do you think Avengers 2 will open? How much will sporting events hurt its box office? Will it cross 200mil? 220? 250!??!